Somerset County Wind Farm Faces Another Obstacle, School Overcrowding, & MD’s Role In Watergate

A proposed wind farm in Somerset County is facing another challenge. Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz is calling for a new plan to ease school overcrowding in the York Road corridor. Baltimore lawyer Russell Neverdon is mounting a bid to run as an independent candidate for Baltimore City State's Attorney. A look at how two Maryland Representatives made their mark during Watergate. And much more.

Somerset County Wind Farm Could Face Another Obstacle: A planned wind farm in Somerset County is facing another challenge. This after US Senator Barbara Mikulski included language in a defense appropriation bill that would put its construction on hold. Developers say a delay would essentially kill the project. Mikulski’s opposition to the wind farm comes amid concerns that its massive turbines could interfere with radar tests at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, on the other side of the Chesapeake Bay. Backers of the wind farm call those concerns unfounded, noting that the turbines could simply be turned off whenever Pax River wants to test its radar systems. The Baltimore Sun reportsthat it’s uncertain whether Mikulski’s language on the wind farm will ever become law. It was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, but the bill hasn’t received a vote from the full Senate yet… and its companion bill that’s already been passed by the House of Representatives does not include the language. Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed a bill that would have killed the project, but Governor Martin O’Malley vetoed the measure. O’Malley declined to respond to the Washington Post’s request to comment on the latest development.

Kamenetz Backs Plan To Ease School Overcrowding: Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz is calling for a new plan to ease school overcrowding in the York Road corridor. On Friday, Kamenetz announced that he’s backing a plan to build a new 700-seat elementary school on the site of the Bykota Senior Center, replacing the former Towson Elementary. The county executive says the proposal would cost about $30-million. He says that would be cheaper than the $52-million price tag for the current plan that would renovate Loch Raven Elementary school and build a new addition at Cromwell Valley Elementary. The Baltimore Sun has more.

How Two Maryland Representatives Made Their Marks During Watergate: WYPR's Fraser Smith and Karen Hosler talk about Paul Sarbanes and Larry Hogan Sr., who were both members of the House Judiciary Committee in 1974 and voted in committee to impeach President Richard Nixon.It’s this morning’s look Inside Maryland Politics.

Madison Park North Apartments Slated For Demolition: An apartment complex in Baltimore’s Reservoir Hill is set to be torn down. The Baltimore Sun reports the owners of Madison Park North Apartments have announced plans to demolish the 202-unit complex. Residents say they've been told they have four months to find another place to live. City officials say the neighborhood continues to struggle with crime while nearby areas are seeing a rebirth.

Health Officials Warn Of Deadly Bacteria: State health officials are warning of deadly, flesh-eating bacteria in Maryland's coastal waters. They say they're seeing a rise in cases of a bacterial infection that can lead to amputation or death if not quickly treated. Officials say a 66-year-old almost lost his leg last week from an infection he got while crabbing and swimming in Chesapeake Bay. 16 infections have already been reported this summer; last year, our state saw 60 – marking a ten year high. WJZ has more.

“Smooth Operator” Program: The Maryland Transportation Authority is stepping up its crack-down on aggressive drivers. The MdTA’s Smooth Operator program will be in full gear through August 17th, during which time law enforcement agencies will work to target and ticket aggressive drivers. The Capital Gazette has more.

Copper Theft Knocks Out Power; Police Look For Suspects: A theft of metal is to blame for more than six-thousand people in Maryland not having power yesterday morning. Anne Arundel County officials say someone broke into a BGE substation shortly after 5am and stole thousands of dollars in copper wiring. They say power was out for close to five hours and it disrupted light rail service to BWI. Police say it's likely the thief suffered burns while committing the crime, and are asking for help in finding the culprits. The Capital Gazette has more.

Mortgage Relief: Homeowners who need mortgage relief can get free help today at an event at the Baltimore Harbor Hotel. The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America has representatives from the nation's biggest banks and HUD-certified counselors at its American Dream mortgage event. Today is the final day of the event, which runs from 8am to 6pm.

Sales-Tax-Free Back-To-School-Shopping Week Nearly Here: The time for back to school shopping is nearly here… and starting this coming Sunday, Marylanders will have a chance to do so without having to pay the state’s 6 percent sales tax. The annual back-to-school tax holiday offers shoppers a chance to get a break when they buy qualifying clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less. State Comptroller Peter Franchot will spend this week the upcoming sales-tax-free shopping period. The Capital Gazette has more.

Public Input Requested For New Frederick Park: Frederick is holding three public meetings this week to get input for a new city park. The first of those meetings is today. The plan is to convert the old Hargett Farm into Westside Regional Park… which will boast an aquatic center, 12 multipurpose fields, walking paths, and an “adventure park.” The Frederick News Post reports that the project is expected to cost a little more than $51-million. After this week’s meetings, the plans for the park will be finalized, and sent to Frederick’s Board of Aldermen for approval.

Baltimore Restaurant Week: Baltimore's summer version of Restaurant Week is underway. At participating restaurants in the city, various three-course dinners will go for a fixed price of $20 or $30 apiece. Also, two-course lunches cost $15. The event runs through August 10th. Also, Baltimore County has its own version; it goes from August 8th through the 24th.

Bull Rider In Serious Condition: A bull rider is in serious condition after getting stomped on at the Harford Farm Fair. Officials say a bull stepped on the man’s neck and face during the rodeo yesterday afternoon. They say he was conscious and walked off the track before being airlifted to a trauma center. The Baltimore Sun has more.

Baseball News: The Orioles won last night’s game against the Seattle Mariners; the score was 1 to nothing. Meanwhile: the Washington Nationals beat the Philadelphia Phillies yesterday; that game’s score was 4 to nothing. The O’s and the Nats play tonight in Washington.

Baltimore Football: The Ravens will hold an open practice tonight at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. Parking lots open at 4:00 and practice begins at 7:00. The team is gearing up for Thursday's preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers from M&T Bank Stadium.